If 2020 was a year of change and transformation, 2021 found us discovering ways to celebrate.

What had once been “business as usual” became triumphs and small victories, and maybe you’ve felt it too in your workplaces and communities. The impetus to do and make better has spread from corner to corner in our region, and we saw the undeniable evidence of it here at Local Government Academy just last month when we opened registration for the 2022 Newly Elected Officials Course (NEOC).

Since 1984, this non-partisan educational program has occurred every two years in conjunction with the municipal general election. This year, we sold out on registrations in two weeks, a shocking record, and a sign that the energy for positive change has rippled into local government.

In response to this incredible demand, and with the intention of bringing NEOC to as many elected officials as possible, we created the Newly Elected Officials Course’s Academic Program. This program encompasses the sessions at Gateway High School in Monroeville, providing additional officials the opportunity to learn from the experts while allowing for social distancing.

To date, over 130 public officials across the region are registered to learn the methods of good governance and the role of a public official. We’ll see everyone together for the first time next year, January 15th, with our largest attendance in the history of the program. And the commitment is real, as the 2022 NEOC is a robust educational program encompassing seven Saturday sessions and four Wednesday evening webinars, resulting in over 50 hours of instruction.

What does it take to host a program like the Newly Elected Officials Course? From our Board Members who help with registration to municipal professionals and credentialed subject matter experts who serve as instructors, it takes a village. Both Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development provide funding to offset tuition fees, but our volunteers are what keeps this program, vital, relevant, and altogether possible.

Drawing from the municipal world, academic community, and working with civic and business leaders, over 70 individuals come out to volunteer their services. Each instructor brings a level of expertise that will benefit those new to local government, and each comes prepared to engage and mentor. It is with sincere appreciation that we acknowledge all the 2021-2022 NEOC Speakers who dedicate their time to ensuring local government officials hear fact-based information about their role and responsibilities as a public servant.

Aspiring to a higher level of educational programing, we’re celebrating another victory as we announce a new partnership with Pittsburgh Community Television (PCTV), which will provide professionally edited recordings of classroom sessions, substantially increasing the value of the Newly Elected Officials Course by allowing participants to review the content later or multiple times.

No other program covers the range of responsibilities of a public official or provides the wealth of relationship-building opportunities as Local Government Academy’s award winning Newly Elected Officials Course. For more information, check out our website.

You might have guessed it, but we love NEOC. As the program continues, you’ll see us posting live on Twitter and Instagram, and posting photo albums from each session on Facebook. Celebrate with us and check out the photos from our robust kick-off to this course at our Facebook page.

The response we’ve seen this year has moved us. We might take a brief break for the holidays (and we hope you do as well), but we’re excited to return next year and celebrate the triumphs and victories that 2022 brings. We encourage you to spread the cheer, as well as the drive to do and make better throughout our local communities.

Wishing you a healthy and peaceful holiday season.

– Joy